Vehicle causes house fire after collision

PLEASANT TWP.—A house caught fire after a vehicle crashed into it early Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred at approximately 12:22 p.m. when the Seneca County Sheriff's Office received a call of a vehicle that crashed into a residence in the 6000 block of N. CR 33. When responding to the scene law enforcement and Fire and EMS rescue personnel discovered both he vehicle and residence were fully engulfed in flames. The preliminary investigation, according to Seneca County Chief Deputy Charles Boyers, revealed a vehicle was traveling eastbound on North County Road 33 at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve, and the vehicle went off the roadway, striking the residence at that location. The resident was home and inside the residence at the time of the crash but was uninjured. Boyers said firefighters had to stop due to a suspected 2,000-5,000 rounds of ammunition in the home. According to a release from SCSO, Anterius D. Thomas, 23, Tiffin, was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, failure to control and driving under suspension. Thomas was transported to Mercy Health - Tiffin Hospital by EMS rescue personnel, while the passenger, Reece Frisch, 22, Tiffin, was transported by life flight to Toledo ProMedica Hospital. The Seneca County Sheriff's Office, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, are investigating the traffic crash. "While Fire Rescue personnel were attempting to suppress the fire, ammunition from inside the residence started to ignite from the fire. I am grateful to report that NO Fire/EMS rescue personnel, Deputies, or bystanders were injured during the incident." Sheriff Fred Stevens said in a release. Seneca County Sheriff's Department, Seneca EMS, Old Fort Fire, Bascom Fire, Green Springs Fire, Clinton Fire and Tiffin Fire assisted on scene; in addition to John's Towing and Ohio State Highway Patrol Fremont Post. The crash remains under investigation.